Government Plans To Make UK 'Creative Hub'

The UK Government has revealed plans to make the UK a global leader in arts, media and advertising through apprenticeships and a world creative business conference.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham announced the action plan, Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy.
The government believes the initiative will move the creative industries from the “margins to the mainstream of economic and policy thinking in the UK.”
The action plan outlines 26 commitments for both government and the creative industries to develop talent, create jobs and drive the UK’s international competitiveness.
The government said in a statement: “We need to give our creative industries a powerful global presence and the opportunity to compare themselves with the very best in the world.”
Government body UK Trade and Investment will spearhead a five-year strategy to “enhance the international competitive position of the UK’s creative industries.”
The government will also launch a ‘talent pathways’ scheme to aid disadvantaged people to get into the industry.
Five new ‘centres of excellence’ in creative skills will be created in collaboration with leading firms, including EMI, the Royal Opera House and independent TV producer Aardman Animations.
The government will also encourage creative businesses to apply for up to £2 million from the Enterprise Capital Fund.
Mr Burnham said: “Our vision is of a Britain in 10 years’ time where the local economies in our biggest cities are driven by creativity.”
(DS)